Northville Boys Cross Country Finishes 3rd at Michigan State Invitational

The Northville High School boys cross country team placed well in the M.S.U. Spartan Invitational Sept. 13. 

• Nick Noles 16:10 - 14th*
• Sean McCullough 16:17 - 25th*
• Conor Naughton 16:19 - 28th*
• Jason Ferrante 16:44 - 50th
• Nick Dufresne 17:12 - 98th
• Ben Cracraft 17:13 - 102nd
• Sam Kremke 17:43 -155th

JV Race -- 3rd overall if they had kept a team score:

• Jacob Kamm 17:41 - 10th*
• Peter Martin 17:43 - 13th*
• Alex Chevoor 17:50 - 18th*
• Joe Craig 17:55 - 21st*
• Sean Flanagan 17:59 - 23rd*
• Mark Castellano 18:04 - 28th*
• Trevor Lerner 18:38 - 67th

*Denotes medal winner

The Northville boys cross country team took a critical step closer on their way to competing with the State’s top teams last Friday, finishing 3rd in the “Elite Race” at the M.S.U. Spartan Invitational.  It was the team’s strongest finish since winning the Green Division (Division 1 and 2 non elite) in 2011.  The Elite Race at M.S.U. features the Michigan’s best, as well as a few of the top programs in Ohio.

Nick Noles lead the Mustangs posting a time of 16:10, which was good for 14th place. It was his first time running at M.S.U.  “After missing the race his freshman year for a wedding and last year because of injury, Nick was hungry to run today.”  The time was Noles’ best since the 2011 season, and his coach feels he’s on track for a return to All State status: “Nick is on great form right now, and he loves running in big races.”

Sean McCullough (16:17 / 25th) and Conor Naughton (16:19 / 28th) were also medalists (top 30 runners), running career best times on the Forrest Akers course.  A top 30 finish at the Elite Race at M.S.U. is a significant accomplishment and according to their coach, both McCullough and Naughton used a strong finishing kick over the final 500 meters to earn those places.  “We work on finishing in practice, but when it comes to the meet, that’s on the runner.   Sean has added finishing speed to his arsenal this season, and it’s taken him to the next level as a runner.” In sophomore Naughton, Cronin feels he has an emerging star: “Conor just keeps working, and now he is on the cusp of running with the State’s best.” 

Jason Ferrante was 4th for the Mustangs (50th overall /16:44).  It was the junior’s career best time The 800 meter specialist from track put in an additional 200 miles this summer to become a better finisher in at the 5k distance, and it  appears to be paying off.  “Jason has the ability to unleash a kick that no one can stay with, if he gets into the late stages of a race and has his kick, look out.  He’ll be impossible to stay with.”

Closing out the scoring for Northville was senior Nick DuFresne (98th / 17:12).  DuFresne moved up to run varsity after running to victory in the JV race at the Bath Invitational, and he made the most of his opportunity. “Nick has always runs well at M.S.U., and today he improved his career best by 12 seconds.” 

Freshman Ben Cracraft continued to solidify his varsity position with a solid showing. (17:13 / 102nd)

Sam Kremke was the 7th Mustang finisher in a time of 17:44.

Coach Cronin was also complimentary of his JV runners, who also had an impressive showing on Friday.  The Mustangs had 6 runners who finished in a 23 second span.  Leading the way for Northville was Jacob Kamm (17:41 / 10th) and Peter Martin (17:43 / 13th). “We ask our JV runners to have a varsity approach in races, and that attitude is playing dividends.”